The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-01-15
A PUBLIC LIBRARY
THE ONE THING JUST NOW EsPE.
CIALLY NEEDED.
IL would be n Great Help 90 the
Students of Our Public
Schools.
To the Editors of tho Appeal,

To the Editors Of tho Appeal,
The Governors message and the
APPEAL article are doubtless Endorsed
by all who foster broad and generoui
humanity. No one advantage accru-
ing as direct result from the cnas-
tisement of war ia more plainly mani
feet than the enlarged school facilities
for the South. But schools can only
lay basis upon which permanence
and stability Of character may be
reared, and after hfiusnce and asso-
citation are TO decide whether this
foundation support q magnificent
structure, perfected and amply fitted
for the furniture OF good works, or
that it remain simply decaylng crypt
OF buried opportur tiles.
The world 10 the broad and pro Sres.
sive school that continues the refining
process, and it's many instruments
might be enumerated; among which
newspapers hold their peculiar and in.
dispensable position In the continued
education OF he oItzsn, and are doiDg
an ever broadening and permanent
work. But there Is another lustru-
ment which this article is intended tn
touch upon, that is not being 30 judi
ciously welded and properly sppre-
cisted as an aid TO the advancems ant of
an elevated and ever increasing intel
lect. / refer to the libraries. People
must and will read. Every human
extends a direct influence to some
other being, and that Influence Ia reg.
ulaled largely by tbs daily food asfimi-
lated by the mind.
The Ii erary world, M vel as the
fashionable, hes It's VANITY Fair"
and bright mental gifts are beng da y
bariered for ths dross that ia floating
in minute particles, mere mist, until
II Is encrusted and hardened, a III tier
ing but irritating and erervsling mass
about the lives If an innumerable host
OF people. Thtss very people, were
tne golden leaves, diamond Wi ten,
( ON the bands Of mPster intelleots
placed within their reach, would turn
from the flying scoria and it's enervat-
ing II Il lebces, TO the true god with
Satisfying aviiity and a growing
wonder III 1t they ever ound pleasure
in the brain debleing, 10 destroyiOg
lite ature that only loo often ruus
down the curtain on dafkened stage.
Go,d public libraries must even IL
ally, II properly established and dis.
temi at, d, do no mean work az aids
10 eradicatirg tue tendency to indulge
in the spuriou', 80 cslled light litera-
ture. Lst 1t be blown away before
the strong, Wholesome breath OF the
open, welcoming doo,s OF we'll stored
lib aries OF standard books, ami these
libraries placed in the hands OF intel.
ligent, tfiicient and progressive libra
rians--for why should not these libra.
Rams be tfIi .ient and worthy Coid.
tutors in q good work, and not merely
automatic book handlers, as have
ssen them?
| am comparative stranger in
Memphis, and one OF the first tnirgiI
did was to inquire into the III lie
library status If the city; twice went
to the only one pointed out to mo,
both times found the librarian absent,
and Rave since been informed the
library is not in q houriHhinR cond-
ton, the librarian not infrequent'y alb.
sent and there was some doubt as ~
its continuance, This to stranger
seems a some what strange stats OF af-
fairs for such live and gro wing place
as Memphis evidently is. Perhaps
the citiz ms can understand end tx.
cuae this condition OF their Il believe
only library on tensble grounds, but
1t is certainly a great disappointment
to a new conner, and II seems TO me
very grave and advantageous depri-
Walton to a city like Memphis.
s0J0URNER.